Shinji Steel 2
Disclaimer: I do not own Neon Genesis Evangelion or Max Steel. Wish I did, though.
(Nine years later; Old Osaka; Kankino Junior High School)
As a thirteen year old Shinji sits attentively in physics class, he thinks about how his life had gone since he'd been found by Josh. Along with how sparse contact had been with his biological Father. In fact, it was so sparse, Shinji was very close to forgetting Gendo was his natural Father and Josh was his Foster Father.
He'd even toyed with the idea of getting his last name changed to McGrath. The only things keeping him from doing so was Gendo being alive still and the obligatory birthday card every year. In fact, on his sixth birthday, Gendo had sent him Yui's cello, with instructions that Shinji learn to play. Of course, with Josh, Berto and Kat, it was an option for him.
That was the best thing with living with them. They never forced anything on him. If anything, he'd often coerced them into letting him do things himself or at least with their teaching him. Much to their surprise, Josh's in particular, he'd turned out to have a knack for sports. Whether they be normal or extreme.
Typing his notes into the school laptop, he almost misses the teacher's next words.
"Okay, class, during break, I want you to write about your families, guardians or anyone else you can think of that's had a profound effect on your life." Shinji puts up his hand and the teacher spots it. "Mr Ikari."
"Just out of curiosity, Mr Kasona, how would our families or guardians be relevant to physics?" The others in class share his question silently. Only for Mr Kasona to smile widely.
"Excellent question. Physics is more than what's being taught, Mr Ikari. Physics involves what moves you in doing what you do. Physics is passion. Physics is soul. Physics is what's within you." Looking over the class, he adds, "That is what physics is all about. Any other questions?" Finding none, he nods and says, "Class dismissed." With that, the Class Representative takes his cue.
"Stand." Once everyone's standing, he then says, "Bow."
"Good afternoon, Sensei!"
"Dismissed."
As everyone exits, the Class Rep glances at Shinji and nods, indicating they need to talk. With Shinji returning the nod.
Exiting the room side by side, he asks, "Why'd you ask Mr Kasona about the assignment, Shinji?"
"Just curious, Hoshi." Shrugging, he adds, "I never took him to be a philosopher. He should be teaching philosophy, not physics." Hoshi Takoan returns the shrug before replying.
"I guess that's why he's such a good teacher. He tries to relate in ways only he can understand." The two best friends share a chuckle as they exit the building. Going serious, he then asks, "So, how're you going to do your report, Shinji?"
With that, Shinji can only shrug, with a scowl.
"The flat-out truth. Was abandoned by my no-good varmint of a Father, was found by my Foster Father and have been better off for it with my Foster family since." Hoshi can only nod in agreement with a chortle. "See you after break?"
"You better believe it. What're you gonna do at the same time?"
"I'm thinking bodysurfing with Josh, scuba diving with Kat and some scientific research with Berto in Okinawa." Shrugging, he adds, "That kinda thing." Hoshi can only shake his head in sadness at those words. "Hoshi?"
"You can do better than that, buddy. Why not try finding a girlfriend to do those things with?" At Shinji's beet red face, Hoshi chuckles with, "Ah, you're still girl-shy as Hell, huh?"
"Yeah." Upon feeling Hoshi's hand thumping him on the back, Shinji smirks. "I'm probably doomed to be girl-shy for the rest of my life."
"I don't think so, man. Out there, somewhere, is a girl for you. It's only a matter of time before you find her. Preferably sooner than later."
"Why do I get the feeling you're trying to get me married off before you?"
"Me? I'd never… well, yeah, I would." Laughing at Shinji's expression, he bolts away, yelling, "Later, buddy!"
As Hoshi recedes away, Shinji can only shake his head at his best friend's antics. The two had been the best of friends since Shinji turned six. Only lately, their friendship has been getting even more strange, what with Hoshi trying to play matchmaker. Often without a relationship of his own. At least that Shinji knows of, anyway.
His musing soon ends upon hearing the beep of a car horn. Turning around, he smiles upon seeing Josh's red coupe. Kat behind the wheel. Getting in, wide smile on his face, he gives Kat a hug, with her returning it strongly.
"How was your day, Shinji?" Releasing him from the embrace, she watches as he straps in before he gives his reply.
"Pretty good. Hoshi's at it again, though."
"Trying to get you romantically entangled with a girl, huh?" At his nod, she smirks as she pulls the car away, saying, "It'd do you some good to have a romance, Shinji."
"Not you too!" Kat giggles while Shinji blushes before saying, "Sorry, Kat. But I don't think I'm cut out for romance. Like Hoshi says, I'm girl-shy."
"You don't have to be, you know." Shrugging, she asks, "Who knows? You may well overcome your shyness in Okinawa. Maybe to the point of finding a girlfriend to scuba dive with."
"You've been talking to Hoshi, haven't you?"
"Nope." At Shinji's sigh of relief, she adds, "Hoshi's Mom." Looking out the corner of her left eye, she giggles again at his dropped jaw and pallor.
'I thought Hoshi was bad enough, but his Mom's even worse!' Touching his fingertips to each other, he murmurs out, "Not like it'll happen for me."
"Oh, I don't know about that, Shinji."
"How do you mean, Kat?"
"If I was thirteen right now, I wouldn't mind having you as a boyfriend." At his beet red face, she giggles again and adds, "You're so cute!"
Shinji can only sink down into his seat, his face beet red still.
(McGrath Manor; Berto's lab)
"Okay, just a little more and… yes!" Moving away from his microscope's screen, Berto smiles in triumph, saying, "Max probe 2.0 complete."
"How's it going, Berto?" At the sound of Josh's voice, Berto turns around and smiles widely.
"Just finished 2.0. You?"
"Another day, another meeting. Thank goodness we'll be in Okinawa for break. You could use one too, bro."
"True. At least we don't have to worry about this version."
"Yeah." Remembering how he got the first version in the first place, Josh shrugs and says, "This time, with Psycho in Antarctica still, we won't have a repeat." Little do either man realize Josh's stone wrong.
(Tokyo-3; NERV HQ)
"Sir! Unknown object approaching Japanese coast! Underwater, no less!"
'Strange. It's too early for an Angel to arrive.' Clearing his throat audibly, Gendo asks, "How far away is it, Lieutenant Aoba?"
"Twenty miles out, and closing."
"Can you get a definition on it yet?"
"No sir, not yet. But I'm starting to get a vague outline." A minute later, Aoba asks, "What the fuck?"
His eyebrows going up at Aoba's expletive, Gendo asks, "What is that supposed to mean, Lieutenant?"
"It seems to be a man, sir. With a metal arm." Gendo's eyebrows can't help but go up in curiosity before he poses his next question.
"Where is the 'man' heading toward?"
"It's coming here, sir."
"Send Section 2 to greet our guest and have them bring him in for coffee."
(Tokyo-3's coastline)
On any other day, the coastline would be tranquil. The picture of quiet beauty. Not today, though. For an uncommon sight is seen walking up onto the beach from the ocean. A cybernetic arm, crusted over with coral. Along with a face covered by a squid until the hand attached to the cybernetic arm roughly grabs the squid and rips it away. Killing the squid in the process.
Behind the now-removed squid a metal face. Permanently in an insane smile with red lights for eyes and a considerable dent. The form shakes its hand and growls.
"This is why I hate calamari. It's hard to detach from you once it gets hold of you." Looking around, he mutters, "Let's see where the Hell I am." Checking his position with the remaining GPS satellites, he finds out his position.
Beginning to laugh wildly, the form yells, "Hello, Tokyo-3! Psycho's here and he's going to kick some ass!"
With that, as Psycho starts walking again, he's aware of people scrambling away from him.
Shaking his head, he asks, "What the Hell's wrong with you? You're acting like you've never seen a man with a dented metal face before!" Pondering his statement, he then laughs again and adds, "Then again, you probably never have seen a man with a dented metal face before!"
It had taken him nine years to make his way to shore. Or rather, eight years and eleven months. One month to get free of the bindings and into the water. The remainder of the time trekking underwater at a sluggish pace in the frigid water until reaching shore.
"Now that I'm back on dry land, I can find N-Tek and Steel! Pay him back for my stay in Antarctica!" Before he can go any further, he sees two men wearing black suits walking toward him. "Now what?"
"You will come with us. Now." For reasons unknown to him, Psycho can't help but feel curious about these two men.
(Two days later; Okinawa Beach)
"Well, here we are, Shinji." Smiling at the boy, Kat asks, "Ready for your first dive?"
"Yeah, Kat. I'm ready." Feeling self-conscious in his trunks, Shinji can't help but gaze at Kat's red bikini before shaking his head. 'She's older than me! Bad Shinji! Bad!' Only Kat catches him and smirks.
"Would you feel any better if there was another girl diving with us? One that's your age or close enough to it?" Before Shinji can stammer out a negative reply, Kat looks over the beach and smiles upon seeing a girl Shinji's age. "Hey! Wanna dive with us?"
"Sure!" The girl, wearing a blue bikini, reaches down to her side and picks up a mask, snorkel and fins before heading their way. "But since I'm not scuba certified, I won't be able to go down far."
"No worries. You can use Shinji's spare regulator." Seeing Shinji's face sporting a bright red blush, Kat giggles and asks, "What's your name?"
"Ritsuko Takamiya."
"Well, then, Ritsuko Takamiya, I'm Kat Ryan and the cute boy beside me is Shinji Ikari."
"Nice to meet you, Shinji."
"You too, Ritsuko." Shinji's voice is so low and timid, Ritsuko can't help but giggle.
"So cute!" Composing herself, Ritsuko puts her mask and snorkel into place before wading into the water. Leaning on a stiffly standing Shinji for support, she puts her fins on. Smiling as Shinji shyly offers the spare regulator to her, she says, "Thank you, Shinji."
"Welcome."
Shinji's squeaked out reply gets one more giggle out of Ritsuko before they disappear into the waves. Shinji diving between the two femmes, either one of his hands in each.
(That night; Okinawa McGrath Manor; dining room)
"…And may Shinji's remaining break have a romance with Ritsuko in it."
Kat's wording during 'Grace' has Shinji blushing, Berto chuckling and Josh smiling widely.
"Kat, go easy on him."
"Can't do that, Josh. You know it's the 'Aunt's job to tease her 'nephew' to no end. And Ritsuko is pretty cute. Too bad she couldn't join us for supper even though Shinji at least gathered the guts to ask her."
"Well, at least go easy on him a bit, please." Josh looks worriedly at Shinji before adding, "Any redder and he may spontaneously combust at the table."
Shinji's blush is so intense, all three adults can literally feel the heat emitting from his face. Before anyone else can say anything more, Shinji takes his glass of water and flings it onto his face to try cooling it down. Succeeding in doing so, slightly.
"If you'll excuse me, please, I'm going out for some air."
"Sure. Go ahead pal."
Shinji nods at Josh and moves his chair away from the table before getting up. Once outside, the sound of the adults' laughter is audible and Shinji can't help but smile himself. A light chortle emitting from his mouth as he starts walking around the spacious back yard.
Back inside, the merriment over Shinji is tapered down somewhat as Josh looks over at Kat. In turn, Kat doesn't quite know what to make of their faces until Josh speaks.
"Thinking of summer romances, you can use one yourself, Kat."
"Me?" At Josh's nod, Kat looks over at Berto and asks, "Is he for real?"
"He is. You've been alone long enough, Kat."
"Berto's right, Kat. You have been alone long enough."
"I'm not alone, Josh. I've got you guys and Shinji. You're all I need." Glancing over at Berto, she adds, "If anything, you should talk to Berto. He could use a good woman to care for and be cared for by." Berto's face goes beet red, the same shade as Shinji's no less, before he stammers out.
"I'm just a lab guy, Kat. No woman would be interested in me at all."
"Oh, I don't know, Berto. Dragonelle seemed to like you."
"Josh! Dragonelle's evil! I'd sooner ask Kat out than her!"
At that declaration, Berto's eyes go wide and he clamps his hands over his mouth. His face beet red. Looking over at Kat, he sees her jaw's dropped down. Taking that opportunity to escape, he does so. Just in time as Kat's starting to come out of her shock at Berto's words. Kat blinks blearily at Josh before getting up.
"If you'll excuse me, I have a punching bag to torture in the gym."
Walking out of the dining room, Kat is still slightly stunned to the point where her sense of sight misses a shadowy form prowling the grounds.
(McGrath Manor; outside)
"So this is where the new Executive Director lives during vacations. Swank. Chances are, he's got a lab for side projects here too. Just like the site in Del Oro did. I'll check after I demoralize the kid."
Doing a scan of the ground beneath his feet, Psycho nods in approval at the security set-up in place.
"Subterranean sensors, capable of detecting anything larger than a gopher digging. That route's out."
Looking around him, he soon sees a possible entry point. An above-ground furnace. Which begs the biggest question of all.
"Why does he have an above-ground furnace, anyway?"
Shrugging, Psycho makes his way to the furnace while recalling his meeting with what could be considered John Dread's Japanese brother.
"It's nice to see you accepted my 'invitation', stranger. You are?"
"Psycho."
"Hmm. Simple and elegant. I am Gendo Ikari."
"Now that we know who the other is, why am I here?"
"I have a task for you." Sliding a photo over to Psycho, Gendo added, "The young boy in the picture is your mark."
"Whoa, whoa, whoa. I may be an insanely homicidal cyborg, but I still have some scruples. I don't kill kids." Gendo's chortling threw Psycho for a loop before Gendo calmed himself back down.
"Whoever said anything about a child being killed, Psycho?"
"You've a point there." Looking at the picture, he nodded and asked, "What do you want me to do?"
"I want you to demoralize him. Render him into a state of depression. If not scare him outright so badly, he'd shut himself away from the world."
"What'd this kid do?" Chortling, Psycho looked up at Gendo and asked, "Pee in your pool?"
"No. My son is vital to my plans."
"YOUR SON?" If Psycho's jaw was able to, it'd have dropped down onto and through the floor. Looking at the picture again and back at Gendo, Psycho can't help but notice the resemblance. Prompting his next response. "Okay. Is he in your home?"
"No. He is staying with another and has been since he was four. My sources tell me he is readying to go to Okinawa during break. If he was to be demoralized there, it'd be suitable to have him fit in my plans."
"Just what are your plans?"
"That is outside of your purpose, Psycho. However, if you do a good enough job, you may well have a spot in NERV."
"Okay. Who is he staying with?"
"Some hotshot executive with a company called 'N-Tek'. Name of Josh McGrath. That is all." Turning away from Psycho, he added, "You may leave now."
Psycho, knowing that Gendo meant they have nothing more to discuss for the time being, exited the office. Besides, he knew far well more than Gendo did about 'N-Tek', but decided to hold back on him to return the favor.
Snapping back to the present, Psycho opens the furnace and peers inward. Spying a long shaft going downward, he chortles and enters. Closing the entry point to a crack. Little does he realize Shinji is walking to the furnace. Bag of garbage in hand and not alone.
(Shinji's walk)
As he walks along the yard, Shinji stretches out his arms before sighing happily.
'Man, this breeze feels good! I can feel my blush dying down. Why is Kat pulling that nonsense, though? No girl like Ritsuko should want to be with me. She's a knockout. I'm just me.' His jovial mood now officially 'killed', he murmurs, "I just don't see what would be so appealing about me, anyway."
Looking around and stopping, Shinji sees Josh carrying a trash bag out of the house and makes his way over. Somehow gaining Josh's attention as he approaches.
"Hey, Shinji."
"Hey Josh. Need any help?" Josh ponders it and smiles.
"Sure, thanks." Kinking his head toward the furnace, he goes on. "Just taking the trash to the furnace for burning. Wanna carry the bag?"
"Okay." Shinji takes the bag into his hands and grunts at the weight. "Who'd have thought we'd have so much trash to burn?"
"Yeah. Light load. Usually we've had to burn three or four when we're on vacation here because we were teens. Since you're a teen now, we can look forward to more trash to burn."
"I don't know if that's good or bad." Josh lets out a chortle and Shinji snickers.
When they get there, Josh opens the door and Shinji chucks it in. A split second later, he could swear he heard a startled yelp coming from the furnace, but puts it out of his mind. Spotting the controls right at his left, he looks over at Josh and gives him an 'asking' glance. Much to his surprise, Josh nods and smiles. However, the smile on Josh's face has a hint of mean mischief.
Putting it out of his mind, Shinji fires up the furnace and sets the timer for the furnace to shut off in two minutes. As they both walk away, Shinji could swear he hears pained screaming coming from the furnace. Figuring he's hearing things, Shinji just puts it out of his mind. Josh, however…
'Welcome to "SMAIV", Shinji. I just wish I knew how "Smiley" found out about this place. Even more, what was he doing here? He's supposed to be freezing his ass off in Antarctica. Oh well.' Looking over at Shinji, he smiles fondly and ruffles the boy's hair as they reach the house.
"You up for some surfing tomorrow, pal?"
"You bet, Josh." As Shinji steps into the house, he turns back and notices Josh's looking toward the furnace. "Something wrong with the furnace, Josh?"
"Nah. Just wanting to be ready in case the timer doesn't shut off like it's supposed to." Glancing back at Shinji, he smiles widely and adds, "Go on and turn in, Shinji. I've got things in hand."
"Okay, Josh. Night."
"Night. Pleasant dreams of Ritsuko." As a blushing Shinji steps away toward his room, Josh turns back toward the furnace and scowls. 'What is your game, "Smiley"?'
(Furnace)
Coughing out the smoke, Psycho can't help but ask, in a weakly quipping manner, "Did you order 'original recipe' or 'extra crispy' Psycho?" Shaking his head to regain his bearings, he quickly does so. "Now I know what a damned K-F-C feels like. 'Cause I'm a damned O-F-P."
His human hand losing its grip on the ladder, Psycho plummets down to the bottom of the shaft. "Oh, and the hits just keep on coming." Shaking his head once more, he turns his head to the right and left before looking behind him. If he had eyebrows, they'd be arching for he sees a seam for a doorway.
"Now that's something you don't see every day." Turning back to his front, he sees rungs for a ladder before chortling. "An emergency escape passage, no doubt." Turning back toward the seam, he cackles and says, "Let's see where it leads to." His cybernetic arm pushing the door, effortlessly, he can't help but sweat-drop at the sight of the passageway. Lined with laser-traps.
'Okay. This could take a while. Yeah.'
(Two hours later; Shinji's room)
Snapping awake, Shinji groans before laying back down onto the bed. The dream of Ritsuko was far too much for him to handle. Before he can chide himself, his stomach grumbles. With that, he gets out of bed. Intent on finishing his interrupted dinner with no disruptions this time.
'I still can't get over what Kat pulled. Both at the beach and dinner.'
As he makes his way to the dining room, Shinji catches a glimpse of Berto coming seemingly out of nowhere. Particularly a man-sized hole in the wall. His curiosity getting the better of him, Shinji goes to the spot and sees it's slightly open. Gently pushing it open, he soon sees a pathway leading to another doorway. Summoning up his courage, he steps through and closes the door back to the way he found it. Sure that Berto would be back soon, meaning he'd have to make what he has in mind quick.
'Just a quick peek. That's all.' Reaching the doorway, he tentatively grasps the doorknob and turns, expecting it to be locked. Only to find it's not. 'Okay. What kind of scientist leaves a door unlocked?'
As he opens the door, he hears a clatter from within the room. The door soon opens to reveal a lab-type room and a man with a mechanical arm gazing up at a glass tube. Looking around, he can clearly see a massive hole in the lab's farthest wall and finds himself angered. Secrets may have been kept from him, but that didn't mean any outsider could help themselves to them.
"Hey, fucknuts!" The man turns around and quickly sees Shinji. "I don't think you're… ah shit!" The man can't help but laugh in evil amusement.
"You don't think I'm shit? What do you think I am? A nightmare?"
"Nope. A very unpleasant sci-fi movie gone even worse."
"I'll show you worse, kid." His arm smashing the tube, the man cackles and says, "Your Dad says 'Hi' by the way, Shinji Ikari." Making his way out the hole he'd made, he gazes upon the boy as the liquid washes over him.
"SHINJI!"
The sound of voices hasten his escape. Just in time to hear them pleading for Shinji to hang in there.
Back in the lab, Josh, Berto and Kat try to keep a saturated Shinji conscious while the liquid makes its way into his body. Within seconds, the liquid is fully inside Shinji, the nano-probes within bonding with his innards. Before Shinji goes unconscious, he blinks tiredly and sees Josh, Berto and Kat.
"So… sorry."
"No, Shinji. You've nothing to be sorry for." Josh's face takes on a weak smile to reassure him before Josh adds, "Just relax, Shinji. It'll be over soon."
"What's happening to me? Am I dying?" Before Shinji can hear a reply, he goes unconscious.